The launch of a new franchise partner is an exciting moment, marking a new chapter for you and your franchisee. Having awarded someone a part of your business, you’re now ready to watch them fly. But like anything in business, welcoming a new franchisee isn’t always plain sailing. Getting the onboarding process right can make the difference between success and failure.
Follow these five top tips to make sure your onboarding process marks the start of a fruitful new relationship:
Be prepared
Be professional and get organised so that you have everything ready for your onboarding meeting or programme. Block time out in your diary and give your franchisee your full attention. Not only will this make the meeting more effective, but it will also help build trust and a positive relationship between you and your new franchisee.
You may have been through the onboarding process many times, with varying levels of success. But remember, for each new franchisee, this is their very first experience. Matching their enthusiasm and showing them that you have taken the time to prepare demonstrates that you care about their success and want to give them the best possible start for their business.
Personalise your approach
Think about their specific background and skills. Yes, there are general things you will need to cover for everyone, and you should have a standard handbook in place to guide them through everything they need to run their franchise. But take into account each new franchisee’s particular background and expertise. Have they run a franchise before? If yes, you may be able to spend less time in some of these areas. Are they new to accounting software, or will they need to use platforms like LinkedIn? If so, they may need more training in these areas.
Consider also the emotional skills, as well as the technical areas. Might they need some help in personal branding, networking, public speaking or confidence? Now is the time to ask questions, listen and put training plans in place so that they have both the skills and the knowledge they need to thrive as one of your franchisees.
Take time to get to know each other
We all work better with people we know, like and trust. You will have made a start on getting to know each other during the prospecting process. As a franchisor, you will have learnt enough to decide to award them a franchise.
The onboarding process is the perfect time to delve deeper and get to know each other, as you are both likely to open up more now that you are committed. Find out what makes your new franchisee tick. What are their goals and aspirations? How do they want to be supported? What fears do they have about their franchising journey? Use this information to guide your approach in the coming months and give them the support they need.
Try to do your induction face-to-face, and build some social time/downtime into the schedule so it’s not all information overload. This will give your new franchisee a chance to absorb everything, ask questions, and relax in your company, discussing things other than work.
Connect them with other franchisees
Over the years, I have found this incredibly powerful. Connecting with other franchisees during the prospecting process, as well as the first few months, can make a significant difference.
Consider buddying up your new franchisee with an experienced colleague, so they have someone to talk to other than you. They may feel more comfortable asking questions from people who have been in a similar situation, and the more support options you can offer, the better their chance of success. This can be motivating for existing franchisees, too. It is in everyone’s interest that a new franchisee succeeds, and most people like to help.
Continue the onboarding journey
Make sure your main onboarding session is the start of an onboarding journey, not the end. It is easy to listen and learn things in theory, but putting them into practice is much harder. Your franchisee is likely to have lots of questions as they start to implement everything they have learned and as they get their business up and running. Ensure you plan regular check-ins, so they know you are there to support them over the coming weeks and months.
As a franchisor, welcoming each new franchisee is a special time, full of hope and aspiration. By following these steps, you can demonstrate your commitment to your new franchisee’s success and guide them on the right path for their franchising journey.
